Fine Gael Senator and member of the joint Oireachtas Agriculture committee, Tim Lombard, has confirmed that over €4 million has been allocated to a new Fodder Import Support measure.

Senator Lombard

Senator Lombard said: “‘In light of the recent severe drought conditions and their impact on an already difficult fodder situation, my Fine Gael colleague, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, has introduced a support measure contributing to the cost of importing fodder from abroad.

“This measure is being introduced to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, alfalfa etc.) from outside the island of Ireland, and will operate through the Co-operatives/registered importers to cover forage imported from 12/08/2018 to 31/12/2018 and will be subject to EU State Aid rules.

“As was the case in the earlier Fodder Import measure of last spring, participation will be straightforward for the farmer who contacts a participating Co-op/registered importer and purchases fodder.

“The Department of Agriculture will subsequently reimburse the Co-op/ importer with a contribution towards the cost of transport.

“This measure will provide a valuable extra source of fodder, complementing the range of initiatives already introduced this summer which focus on maximising fodder production from our own land resources.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with all stakeholders until we have successfully addressed the issues around fodder availability.”

Application forms and terms and conditions will be available through the Co-ops/registered importers shortly as well as on the Department’s website:
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/fodderimportsupportmeasureautumn2018/